Sailing record &#8211; at 17

Calif. teen is youngest to circle globe alone

Zac Sunderland arrived at Marina del Rey yesterday, becoming the youngest person to circumnavigate the globe alone. He began his journey at 16 when he left Marina del Rey on June 14, 2008. &#160; (Philip Scott Andrews / Associated Press)

Zac Sunderland arrived at Marina del Rey yesterday, becoming the youngest person to circumnavigate the globe alone. He began his journey at 16 when he left Marina del Rey on June 14, 2008. (Philip Scott Andrews / Associated Press)

MARINA DEL REY – A 17-year-old from Ventura County yesterday became the youngest person to sail around the world alone.

Zac Sunderland docked at Marina del Rey in Los Angeles County, completing a 28,000-mile record trip that began last year. His family, friends and hundreds of onlookers cheered as his 36-foot Intrepid boat entered the harbor.

Also on hand was a team from the American Sailing Association, which certified his accomplishment.

The shaggy-haired sailor from Thousand Oaks gave a whoop of joy before addressing the crowd.

“It's been a crazy 13 months,” he said, hugging his younger siblings.

Zac was 16 when he left Marina del Rey on June 14, 2008 – a voyage that included encounters with pirates and wild storms.

His father, shipwright Laurence Sunderland, met him at various stops and helped him repair damage to the boat while Zac surfed.

The younger Sunderland mainly ate freeze-dried and canned foods, with one of his sponsors providing fresh vegetables. His father's company, Sunderland's Yacht Management & Shipwrights, was his main sponsor.

Zac said his toughest challenge was the sleep deprivation when his boat broke down and he needed to guide it through the night.

During the leg from Australia to the Coco Islands in the eastern Indian Ocean, he said pirates followed him and he was forced to call Australian authorities to scare them off.

“I had this boat following me all over the place and circling,” Zac said.

He said he was humbled by meeting people around the world who live in poor conditions.

“In other countries, 13 people are living in a dirt hut and when you meet them, they're the most kindest, generous people,” Zac said.

He also encouraged adults to trust more in the abilities of teenagers.

“There is so much more potential to what young people can do. Go out there and do your own thing,” he told the crowd at the marina.

He beat a record that held by an Australian, who was over 18 when he completed the voyage in 1996.

But even yesterday, Zac's record is being challenged: a British sailor a few months younger is attempting the solo circumnavigation in a bigger, faster boat.

But he was philosophical.

“I really don't care,” he said. “Someone's going to beat it some day.”

Zac said he hasn't determined his next trip.

“I'm hoping to set off on my next adventure soon – Mount Everest or down to the Arctic Circle,” Zac said.